5A Public Hearing 2018 1217 - Laserfiche WebLink

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File #:18-042,Version:1 the new Industrial Transition (IT) zoning district and updates to the Downtown Area (DA) zoning and development standards (including changes to the P-zoning district), it did not seek to comprehensively address the format and layout established in 1992. The 2035 General Plan Update planning process also led to the creation of new land uses such as the Bay Fair TOD and IT designations, the addition of a Medium High Density Residential designation, updates to Park and Open Space designations, removal of obsolete land uses such as Office, adjustments to allowable densities downtown, and mixed-use boundaries to reflect market trends and long-range forecasts. During the 2016 Zoning Code amendment process, staff initially recommended eliminating the P- zoning district because of the removal of the Office land use, but public feedback in favor of retaining the P-zone caused it to remain. Analysis The City typically amends the Zoning Code a couple of times each year. Over time, multiple piecemeal changes have made the Zoning Code more difficult to use. While one section may have been updated or “cleaned-up,” sometimes other related codes were overlooked, resulting in unintended inconsistencies. The Planning Division has identified in recent years over 40 different code sections that need to be addressed through a clean-up effort. Despite the major effort undertaken during the 2016 Zoning Code update, functional and organizational aspects of the Zoning Code still need to be addressed. The timing to organize the Zoning Code through a comprehensive update is ideal given the number of significant initiatives anticipated for 2018, including the upcoming Bayfair TOD Specific Plan, and further discussion regarding short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and telecommunications. In addition, recent public comments have shown an interest in revisiting the multi-family residential development standards within the Professional Office (P) zoning district provisions. Public comments on the P zoning district development standards have included requests to amend the General Plan. Although the withdrawn Planned Development (PD) application at 1388 Bancroft generated considerable public controversy and highlighted concerns with the Zoning Code, the need to revisit publically vetted and established General Plan and Downtown Transit Oriented Development policies are not necessary or recommended. Considerations related to a comprehensive versus a targeted Zoning Code amendment effort would be expense and time, which would obviously be less for a targeted update than a comprehensive Zoning Code update, the latter of which could take from 12 to 24 months. A targeted effort could be accomplished without the need for a consultant within a shorter timeframe depending on the scope. Staff would need direction from the City Council on which issues to focus upon in order to better determine the cost and scope of a targeted Zoning Code update. Should the City Council direct staff to initiate a comprehensive update, below are the proposed next steps to begin the Request for Proposal (RFP) process during Spring 2018 to initiate either a comprehensive or targeted Zoning Code update: ·Issue RFP for a Planning Consultant Firm ·Selection of Qualified Firm ·Consultant Services Agreement to City Council City of San Leandro Page 2 of 3 2/05/2018